U.N. Seeks Sharing of Advanced Technology Among Countries

UNIDO director-general Li Yong (L) speaks to the media, while Peruvian President Ollanta Humala listens, following a meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2013. (Photo : REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)

Developed countries were called upon by a United Nations body to share their advanced technologies with other countries to boost the establishment of inclusive and sustainable industries.

The director-general of U.N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Li Yong, told Xinhua that this move could reduce high costs in implementing eco-friendly industries badly needed by developing and least developed countries.

Li said that countries with advanced technologies should share with those countries at the bottom of the industrial chain while continuing to develop new technologies.

With global community needing to bring back economic growth and overcome such challenges as job creation and income generation, Li said that the key is through sustainable industrial development.

On the criticism that industrialization is the culprit for climate change, he added that ecological impact can be nullified.

Li admitted that while many industries bring economic growth, jobs and prosperity, it may cause pollution or emission.

Nonetheless, he pointed out that with new technology, a widespread understanding of green concepts, and good manufacturing policies, the environmental impact can be greatly reduced.

It was noted that some developing countries are implementing environmental efforts that benefit other countries but do not get compensation for doing so. An example was Indonesia, whose rain forests function as the world's lung, but is struggling to get compensation for the effort. At the same time, these countries are also striking a balance with the need to create more jobs.

The director-general added that some countries are now developing new manufacturing technologies that produce less emission.

Li said that UNIDO could help build knowledge-sharing and technology transfer among countries through a global environment facility or a multi-protocol mechanism.